THE GREATEST GIFT
       by Carl Evans 10/30/2008
 AT THIS SEASON OF THE YEAR, OUR MINDS TURN TOWARDS
  FESTIVITIES OF THE COMING WEEKS.
 WE HAVE HOLIDAYS THAT SPRING UP BEFORE US AND
  THE TRUE MEANINGS WE MUST SEEK.
 THANKSGIVING TAKES US BACK TO THE PILGRIMS WHO
  SOUGHT A NEW LAND FOR PEACE AND LIVING FREE.
 WHILE OTHERS STAYED IN THE OLD LAND TO CARRY ON
  THEIR LIVES AND FASHIONS IN SERVILITY.
 CHRISTMAS IS A TIME OF WORKING TO BUY A GIFT FOR
  A LOVED ONE TO SHOW THEM THAT YOU CARED
 AND MAKING SOMETHING THEY WOULD LOVE EVEN
  IF EVERY GIFT WOULD HAVE TO BE SHARED.
 IT'S A TIME TO TURN OUR HEARTS TO THE REASON
  OF SUCH LOVING, HAPPY, AND JOYOUS HOLIDAYS,
 REMEMBERING THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT GOD HAS
  GIVEN US TO HELP US LIVE THROUGH ALL THE DAYS.
 FOR MANY FAMILIES, IT'S A TIME TO SEE THE KIN AND
  ENJOY THE FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP WHILE WE MAY,
 FOR CHANGES OCCUR IN EVERY YEAR SO WE MUST
  APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE EACH AND EVERY DAY.
 WHILE TREASURES VARY WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE,
  OUR FOCUS MUST BE ON THOSE THINGS ABOVE
 FOR GOD SENT HIS SON TO SHOW EACH OF US
  THAT THE GREATEST GIFT TO US IS HIS LOVE.

MY FLOWER BUDS
            by Carl Evans 8.25.2008
  I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVER BE A DAD
   AND IT WAS ALWAYS DISCOURAGING AND MADE ME SAD,
  BUT WHEN I MARRIED MY 2nd WIFE IN LOVE
   I INHERITED A 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FROM ABOVE.
  I HAD SOME MEMORABLE DAYS AND SOME NOT SO
   BUT IT ENCOURAGED ME TO GO WITH THE FLOW.
  TEN YEARS LATER I'M A GRANDPA TO TWO SWEET GIRLS
   AND THEY RULE MY LIFE AN KEEP IT IN A WHIRL.
  MY FIRST ONE STARTED KINDERGARTEN THIS YEAR
   AND SHE ENJOYS IT AND HOLDS THE EXPERIENCE DEAR.
  MY SECOND GRANDDAUGHTER WAS BORN IN MARCH
   AND IS CRAWLING AND CAUSING EVERYONE TO WATCH.
  MY NAME FOR THE OLDEST ONE IS SIMPLY "TATER"
   THE SECOND IS "TWEETY" AND GETS ALL TO CATER.
  NOW, WE ARE EXPECTING ANOTHER SWEET BABY
   AND IT WILL BE THE 'LAST ONE' FOR THIS LADY.
  TWEETY IS AS CUTE AS SHE CAN POSSIBLY BE
   AND HER BIG SISTER TREATS HER SO LOVINGLY.
  SHE'S STILL LEARNING HOW TO BE A BETTER SISTER
   WHILE THE HOUSE LOOKS LIKE IT'S HIT BY A TWISTER.
  TATER IS PRETTY WITH HER LONG DARKER HAIR
   AND TWEETY HAS SANDY HAIR AND BOTH ARE A PAIR.
  THEY KEEP MOM AND GRAMMY RUNNING TO AND FRO
   AND DON'T GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GO SLOW.
  WHILE I CANNOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN, IT'S SO FINE
   THAT GOD GAVE ME THESE TO CLAIM AS MINE.
  I TREASURE THEM IN MY HEART AND LOVE THEM SO MUCH
   AND THEY APPRECIATE IT WHEN I GIVE A LOVING TOUCH.
  I'M A HUGGING PERSON WITH LOTS OF LOVE
   AND I BELIEVE THAT IT COMES FROM ABOVE.
  SOMETIMES PEOPLE MISINTERPRET MY AFFECTION
    AND HURTS SENDS ME IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
  I'M TRYING TO BE ALL THAT GOD WANTS ME TO BE
   BUT SOMETIMES I ALLOW OTHERS TO MAR MY SERENITY.
  I PRESS ON TO FOLLOW HIM IN THIS WORLD DOWN HERE
   AND TO KEEP LOVING OTHERS AND THOSE I HOLD DEAR.
  MY SAVIOR IS THE ONE WHO IS MY PRIORITY
   FOR HE DIED FOR MY SINS TO GIVE ME LIBERTY.
  THEN MY FAMILY FOLLOWS IN THAT DIRECT LINE
   AND I THANK GOD THAT I CAN CLAIM THEM AS MINE.
    ---------------
 

hope you don't get offended, but this is reality.  ha.  thanks

AROMATHERAPY
    by Carl Evans 2008
   IN THESE MODERN TIMES, WE SEE, HEAR, AND READ MUCH INFORMATION ON THE NEED
 OF AROMATHERAPY. WHETHER IT PROVIDES A RELEASE FOR ROMANCE, COMFORT, OR
 SETTLES ANY OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL OR PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS, IT IS STILL
 BENEFICIAL TO ANYONE WHO PARTICIPATES IN IT.
   IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY AND BEFORE, BEFORE POLLUTION BECAME SO EVIDENT, THE
 PEOPLE EXPERIENCED AROMATHERAPY IN A TRUE NATURAL SETTINGS - THE COUNTRY. THE
 AIR WAS CLEAN AND FILLED THEIR LUNGS WHILE THEIR MINDS CAPTURED THE ESSENCE
 OF BLOSSOMING FRUIT TREES, PLOWED EARTH, FLOWERS, A CLEAN RAIN-WASHED
 ATMOSPHERE, AND THE SMELL OF A CLEAN BABY OR BODY. CAN YOU ENVISION THE SMELL?
 WHEN EVERYONE TOOK A BATH IT WAS IN A # 3 GALVANIZED WASHTUB USING HOMEMADE LYE
 SOAP TO CLEAN AWAY THE DIRT AND SWEAT. LYE SOAP WAS NOT THE BEST THING FOR YOUR
 SKIN BUT IT DID GET YOU CLEAN. SOMETIMES, THE WOMEN WOULD USE ROSE WATER AND
 THEY WOULD SMELL LIKE A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. IT WASN'T A STRONG SMELL LIKE SOME
 PERFUMES ARE THAT CLOGS YOU NOSE AND CAUSES ALLERGIES TO REAR UP.
   WHEN I WAS A CHILD, WE ENJOYED THE CLEAN COUNTRY AIR. SOMETIMES, WE'D HAVE
 EXTRA AROMAS WRAPPING AROUND OUR SENSES AND CAUSING UNCOMFORTABLE TIMES. MANY
 OF THOSE TIMES HAPPENED WHILE PLOWING THE VARIOUS CROPS. IF YOU'VE NEVER
 SMELLED THE SOUTHBOUND GAS FROM A NORTHBOUND HORSE OR MULE, YOU'VE MISSED A
 GREAT COUNTRY EXPERIENCE - ESPECIALLY IF THE WIND WAS BLOWING TOWARDS YOUR
 SMELLER. SOMETIMES IT WOULD STIFLE YOU AND CAUSED YOU TO HOLD YOUR BREATH
 BUT YOU WOULD STILL GET A BIG WHIFF. WHILE WE WOULD PLOW THE FURROWS TO CLEAN
 OUT AND COVER THE GROWING GRASS, UNEXPECTED THINGS WOULD HAPPEN. WHILE YOU
 FELT GOOD AND BREATHING GOOD, ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU WOULD GET BLASTED BY THE
 RELEASE OF THE MULES AROMA. YOU COULD ALWAYS TELL WHEN HE WAS GETTING READY
 BY HIS LIFTING HIS TAIL UP.
    OTHER THOUGHTS OF AROMATHERAPY WAS DURING THE NIGHT WHILE EVERYONE WAS
 SLEEPING DEEPLY THAT DOGS WOULD START BARKING AND GROWLING AT A VARMINT
 THAT HAD COME TO VISIT. THE COONS AND POSSUMS WEREN'T A PROBLEM BUT WHEN
 A SKUNK CAME AROUND, HE WOULD LEAVE HIS CALLING CARD AND NO ONE COULD SLEEP
 THE REST OF THE NIGHT ESPECIALLY IF THE DOGS GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH IT AND
 KILLED IT. SOMETIMES IT TOOK SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE AROMA DISSIPATED.
 AT THOSE TIMES, I'D CRAWL BETWEEN THE COTTON MATTRESSES TO SLEEP. IT'S A
 WONDER I DIDN'T DIE BREATHING MY OWN CARBON DIOXIDE BUT THAT WAS BETTER
 THAN SMELLING THE SKUNK.
   ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR AROMATHERAPY WAS WHEN ALL THE FAMILY WAS GATHERED
 IN THE HOUSE VISITING AND DAD WOULD GET A CRAMP IN HIS TRIGGER FINGER AND
 GET AN UNKNOWING CHILD TO PULL HIS FINGER WHICH RELEASED A GUSHER OF GAS
 FROM HIS POSTERIOR. THE ONES THAT KNEW THE OCCASION WOULD SCATTER SOMEWHERE
 ELSE - ESPECIALLY AFTER A GOOD MEAL OF SWEET POTATOES.
   EXPERIENCING SUCH TRYING TIMES AS THESE PREPARED US WITH THE THOUGHT
 THAT LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS SMELLING LIKE ROSES FOR LO AND BEHOLD A STINK
 WOULD ARISE AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME OR OCCASION. AT THOSE TIMES
 WE LEARNED TO PERSEVERE MORE THROUGH PATIENCE.
    -----------------
IT TAKES TIME
           by Carl Evans 4/2008
 IT TAKES TIME FOR A ROSE TO UNFOLD
  FOR THE BLOSSOM TO PRODUCE THE FRUIT
  FOR THE GOOD NEWS TO BE TOLD
  FOR THE WORLD TO ACCEPT CHRIST'S TRUTH.
 
 IT TAKES TIME FOR GOD TO HUMBLE MANKIND
  TO TRAIN A PEOPLE TO DO HIS WILL
  TO ERASE FALACIES FROM THE MIND
  TO ALLOW THE SOUL TO BE FILLED.

 IT TAKES TIME FOR GOD TO FULFILL HIS PLAN
  THROUGH ALL THE HURTS AND STORMS OF LIVING
  TO MATURE A NEW BELIEVER TO BE GOD'S MAN
  TO BECOME CARING FOR OTHERS AND GIVING.

 IT TAKES TIME FOR A CHURCH TO GROW
  WITH GOD WORKING AROUND THE DECEIT OF MAN
  HIS PRINCIPLES AND POWER WE NEED TO KNOW
  TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE FOR THIS EARTHLY BAND.

 IT TAKES TIME TO DEVELOP SWEETNESS IN ONE
  TO BE A BETTER PARTNER IN ANY FAMILY
  TO REAR CHILDREN TO TRUST IN GOD THE SON
  AND BRING ABOUT A CHANGE IN THEIR DESTINY.

 IT TAKES TIME FOR GOD TO HUMBLE OUR COUNTRY
  BUT HE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE IT COME TO PASS
  SO WE CAN BE THE GREATEST LAND OF LIBERTY
  AND HAVE A BLESSED LIFE THAT WILL EVER LAST.

 FOR GODS' WILL TO COME TO FULFILLMENT
  WE MUST BE HUMBLE AND GIVE HIM OUR MINDS,
 OR OUR LIVES AND NATION WILL BE A DETRIMENT
  AND WE'LL ALL BE LEFT BEHIND.
       ----------------
THE TOMB IS STILL EMPTY
           by Carl Evans 6/13/2008
 THOUGH THE ENEMIES SCOFF AT OUR SAVIOR
  THINKING THAT THEY KNOW IT ALL,
 THEY'RE ONLY DIGGING THEIR HOLES DEEPER
  BEING FULL OF SIN, THEY CAN'T HEAR HIS CALL.
 THOSE WHO KNOW THE SAVIOR PERSONALLY
  WILL NEVER - HIS LORDSHIP O'ER THEIR LIVES - DENY
 FOR THEY'VE TASTED HIS SALVATION AND HIS JOY
  AND THEY'LL STAND UP FOR HIS MESSAGE AND CRY.
 ON CALVARY, THERE'S NO MORE RESEMBLANCE
  TO WHAT OUR SAVIOR HAD TO ENDURE
 AND FOR 2000 YEARS THE TOMB HAS BEEN EMPTY
  SO WE MUST BE CONFIDENT AND SURE.
 IF CHRIST DID NOT ARISE AND ASCEND
  WITH VICTORY FOR ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE
 THEN WE HAVE LIVED SUCH A FANTASY
  AND OUR HOPE FILLED LIVES HAVE BEEN DECEIVED.
 HOWEVER, WE SHO HAVE FELT HIS TOUCH
  UPON OUR LIVES AND BEEN DELIVERED FROM SIN
 KNOW THAT HE LIVES UP ON HIGH AND
  THE HOLY SPIRIT SEALED US AND DWELLS WITHIN.
 WE NEED NOT SEE THE EMPTY TOMB NOR TRAVEL
  THOSE HOLY SIGHTS OF ISRAEL TO BELIEVE,
 FOR WE CAN EXPERIENCE HIS LIFE WITHIN US
  IF ONLY HIS WORK ON CALVARY WE'LL RECEIVE

 
this poem was inspired from  the Easter Drama we had at church Sunday. thanks girl. blessings

O CAN YOU SEE
       by Carl Evans 3/23/2008 Easter
  CAN YOU SEE THAT HE CARES FOR YOU
   THAT HE DIED IN OUR PLACE AT CALVARY,
  THAT HE CAN MAKE EACH OF US LIKE BRAND NEW
   AND WILL TAKE US HOME TO LIVE ETERNALLY?

  CAN WE SEE THAT HE CAME FROM UP ABOVE
   THAT HE WAS GREATER THAN JUST A MAN,
  THAT HE SHOWED THE FATHER'S GRACE AND LOVE
   AND WILL TRANSFORM US INTO A NEW MAN?

  CAN OTHERS SEE THE LIGHT THAT IS WITHIN
   AND THE HOPE THAT HE HAS SURELY GIVEN,
  THAT WE'VE BEEN FREED FROM OUR WAGES OF SIN
   FOR HE HAS PROVIDED OUR SINS TO BE FORGIVEN?

  CAN WE SEE THE PURPOSE THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US
   TO SHINE THE LIGHT TO EVERY GENERATION,
  TO SHOW FORTH THE LIFE AND LOVE OF JESUS
   AND BRING OTHERS TO A TRUE REGENERATION?

  O, TRULY CAN WE SEE HIS GLORY WITHIN
   WORKING IN LIVES UNDER HIS DIRECTION,
  REGARDLESS OF THE TIMES THAT WE MAY SIN
   TRUSTING IN HIS BLOOD WROUGHT PERFECTION?

 
GOD HAS THE TIME
     by Carl Evans 3/13/2008
  GOD HAS THE TIME TO WAIT FOR US
   TO REALIZE TRUTHS THAT WILL BLESS
   TO WORK THINGS OUT OF OUR MESS
   TO BUILD HOPE AND STRENGTH FOR THE TESTS.

  GOD HAS THE TIME TO SHOW US
   THAT HE CARES FOR ALL TO SEE
   THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERY
   OF HIS LOVE SHOWN AT CALVARY.
  
  GOD HAS THE TIME TO TOUCH US
   TO GIVE HOPE FOR A DYING ONE
   TO PREPARE US FOR HEAVEN'S HOME
   TO SEE HIS CREATION WHEN WE'RE ALONE.
 
  GOD HAS THE TIME TO BELIEVE IN US
   TO SHOW HIS CARE IN EVERY WAY
   TO HELP US GRASP TRUTHS EVERYDAY
   TO BELIEVE WHAT THE BIBLE DOTH SAY.

  GOD HAS THE TIME TO REACH OUT TO US
   TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE TO BEAR THE LOAD
   AS WE WALK WITH OTHERS ON HIS ROAD
   TO HELP THE HARVEST THAT OTHERS SOWED.

  GOD HAS THE TIME TO WAIT FOR US
   TO REALIZE IN HIM OUR HOPES'LL COME TO PASS
   REGARDLESS OF HURTS - LOVE WILL COME AT LAST
   THAT LIFE CAN BE A BLESSING AND NOT JUST A BLAST.

  GOD HAS TIME TO LOVE EACH OF US
   TO SHOW HOW IMPORTANT WE ARE TO HIM
   TO SHINE THE LIGHT TO LIVES SO DIM
   TO WAIT FOR THE COAL TO BECOME A GEM.

  GOD DOESN'T WANT TO RUSH US
   PREMATURELY INTO HIS LOVING ARMS
   SO HE'LL WAIT AN WORK THROUGH OUR STORMS
   SHOWING HIS LOVE - KEEPING US FROM FATAL HARMS.

  GOD HAS THE TIME FOR EACH ONE OF US
   TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE AND HIS PLAN
   BUT THE QUESTION TO US IS: DO WE
   HAVE TIME TO BECOME ON OF HIS BAND?

 
ODE TO THE RETIRED
     by Carl Evans 2/29/2008
  I'VE BEEN BORN AGAIN BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB.
  I'VE SERVED MY LORD BUT RETIREMENT IS WHERE I AM.
  I HAVE NO PURPOSE SO I JUST SIT ON MY BEHIND,
  PRAYING AND READING MY BIBLE DOESN'T FILTRATE MY MIND.
  IF GOD WANTS ME TO DO MORE THAN I'M DOING
  HE'LL HAVE TO TELL ME AND GET MY BODY GOING.
  I'VE SERVED HIM FOR YEARS DOING HIS MINISTRY
  AND NOW IS THE TIME FOR ME TO BE A RETIREE.
  SO, I'LL JUST SIT HERE AND ENJOY GOOD OLE FUN
  AND LET SOMEONE ELSE MINISTER TO THAT LOST ONE.
  IN MY SLEEP LAST NIGHT I HAD A STARTLING DREAM
  GOD TOLD ME THAT HE STILL NEEDED ME ON HIS TEAM.
  I AWOKE WITH A START AND MY HEART STARTED POUNDING
  STRENGTH FILLED ME AS FROM THE BED I WAS BOUNDING.
  THERE IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN DO FOR HIS MINISTRY,
  INSTEAD OF MUNDANE HOBBIES AND LIVING IN MISERY.
  SO FROM THIS MOMENT ON I'LL DO WHAT HE ASKS
  AND DEPEND ON HIM TO HELP ME THROUGH MY TASKS.
  THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING I CAN DO FOR HIS GLORY
  EVEN IF IT'S TO RELATE WHAT HE'S DONE IN MY LIFE'S STORY.
  WE NEED NOT SEE RETIREMENT AS THE END OF PRODUCTIVITY
  FOR HE'LL GIVE US STRENGTH TO DO HIS ACTIVITY.

TENDERHEARTED
        by Carl Evans 2/7/2008
  THANK YOU LORD THAT YOU CAN STILL STIR THIS OLD HEART
   THAT I CAN STILL BE TENDER TO YOUR MOVINGS WITHIN
  THAT I CAN STILL CRY WHEN I READ A STORY OF YOUR GRACE
   OF WHEN YOU'VE DELIVERED SOMEONE FROM THEIR BURDEN OF SIN.

  THANK YOU LORD THAT I'M MOVED WHEN SOMEONE HAS OVERCAME
   A TRAGEDY IN THEIR LIVES TO LIVE ON WITH THEIR LIPS IN PRAISE
  WHEN STORMS HAVE DEVASTATED THEIR POCKETBOOKS AND FAMILIES
   BUT THEY PICK UP THE PIECES AND LIVE FOR YOU ALL THEIR DAYS.

  EVEN KATRINA AND RITA BROUGHT CHANGES AND DANGERS TO MANY
   BUT THEY HAVE BEEN OVERCOMING THROUGH YOUR STRENGTH AND LOVE
  AND ARE MINISTERING THROUGH THE CHANGES TO HONOR YOU AND
   YOUR SAINTS AND CHURCHES ARE PRESSING ON FOR THAT LAND ABOVE.

  WHEN I READ THE MANY STORIES OF HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE OVERCOME
   MY EYES TEAR UP AND MY HEART IS MOVED WITH COMPASSION
  I KNOW THAT MY HEART IS STILL ALIVE AND FILLED WITH YOU AND
   YOUR SPIRIT GIVES ME ENERGY TO REACH OUT WITH PASSION.

  MAY MY LIFE AND HEART NEVER BE HARDENED BY SIN OR LIFE
   SO I CAN BE A BETTER VESSEL THOUGH CREATED FROM CLAY
  THAT FILLED WITH YOUR SPIRIT I CAN BE A VESSEL FOR YOU
   A VESSEL FOR YOUR GLORY TO SHARE WITH OTHERS EVERYDAY.